Maid denied bail in theft case

Paidamoyo Bore

An 18-year-old domestic worker appeared in court on allegations of stealing US$3 402 from her employer.

Pauline Nzvanzva was denied bail when she appeared before Harare Magistrate Caroline Matanga yesterday.

She will be back in court on January 30.

The State led by Faith Mavhudzi submitted that Pauline was not a proper candidate for bail because she vanished soon after committing the offence.

The State also submitted that it would be hard to locate her if granted bail because she is of no fixed abode.

However, Pauline denied all the allegations and stated that she was innocent. She failed to give reasons for leaving her employer’s house in his absence.

The State alleges that on January 11, the complainant left home for work while Pauline was doing her chores.

Around midday, the complainant’s brother came to drop off his brother’s child.

It is alleged that when he arrived, he found his brother’s daughter outside and asked about Pauline’s whereabouts.

He was told that Pauline was not around.

Further allegations are that the complainant’s brother dropped off the child and drove to Westlea to collect some money.

On his way back, he passed through his brother’s place to check if Pauline was back, and then told him about her disappearance.

His brother then asked him to check if his bedroom was locked since he had left the keys in the kitchen cabinet before leaving for work.

He was further told to check if there was money in the drawers, but nothing was found.

After a thorough search for the money, a report was then made to the police.

The police arrested her at a house she was already working as a maid.